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New hands to conduct 'M' Marching Band

After months of searching for a permanent replacement for Gary Lewis, the Michigan Marching Band on Wednesday announced that Kevin Sedatole will become its new director effective this August.

Sedatole accepted his appointment from the School of Music on Monday, becoming the Band's 11th leader since its inception in 1898.

Current Interim Director Jeff Grogan has accepted an appointment as associate director of the marching band.

"We made a very wide search and had a strong applicant pool," said Paul Lehman, senior associate dean in the School of Music, who spearheaded the selection process with Music Prof. H. Robert Reynolds.

"Kevin Sedatole is especially qualified because he is a superb musician and excellent conductor; he is particularly capable of inspiring our students, and has a high energy level," Lehman said.

The recipient of numerous conducting awards and honors, Sedatole is currently associate director of bands at Austin State University in Texas.

Sedatole said he is very excited about coming to the University and working closely with Director of Bands Reynolds, one of Sedatole's professional inspirations.

"I feel like U-M is where real university bands had their beginnings with Dr. Revelli," Sedatole said. "There is a wonderful tradition of excellence at Michigan that I want to become a part of and hopefully enhance. I'd want to continue the innovative show design that already goes on."

Although the search was conducted by the faculty, Lehman and Reynolds sought extensive student input from current marching band members.

Lehman said he believes student involvement was critical because there is a special relationship between the band members and the director. "Students perceive the director and interact with the director a little differently than the faculty might think," he said.

Second-year Medical student John Schmidt, one of the six marching band members involved in the search, said he was pleased with how the process was conducted. "Without a doubt, student input was important," he said. "I think we need to be sure this is someone we can work with, and if his personality can really intermesh with our style and traditions."

LSA senior Marc Bos, who participated in the search, said Lehman and Reynolds were very sincere and poignant to have student input. "They were very excited to know what we thought and how the candidates would do," Bos said.

Schmidt said Sedatole was the top pick of most band members.

"He is a very genuine individual and you know where he stands on the issues," Schmidt said. "He is an advocate of students when it comes to the style of the marching band. He also puts a lot of emphasis on performance quality."

Bos said he is excited about Sedatole's appointment. "I think he'll do an exceptional job. Dr. Sedatole is in line with the excellence this university represents. He is very personable and professional, and will get the job done," he said.

Lehman said he believes Sedatole is a good choice for fans who watch the marching band's performances at Saturday football games. "He will not only preserve the longtime outstanding tradition of the band, but will take it to new heights," Lehman said.

Schmidt said he was confident and optimistic about Sedatole's appointment. "I feel that Dr. Sedatole will not rest on our laurels, but take us to the next level with innovative performances that will keep us one of the best marching bands in the nation," Schmidt said.

Sedatole holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Baylor University, and a master's and a doctorate in instrumental conducting from the University of Texas.